The current I-5/Port of Tacoma Road Interchange inhibits free-flow of freight and general traffic which limits economic growth in the community, Port of Tacoma, and greater region. The interchange also lacks pedestrian facilities which presents an untenable safety risk, and limits connectivity to transit and city services. This interchange is the primary connection between I-5 and the Port of Tacoma, the fourth largest container gateway in North America with a total business output of $10.8 billion and compensation of $3.4 billion. The Port provides 14,400 direct jobs, supports 41,095 total jobs, and plans to add an additional 10,000 jobs. Interchange demand currently exceeds capacity, resulting in systemic heavy congestion, extended delays with stop-and-go traffic during peak travel times, and increased air pollution. Off-ramp queues extend onto the I-5 mainline, leading to significant congestion and increased risk of severe traffic accidents. This congestion increases travel times and negatively impacts reliability for freight accessing the Port of Tacoma and Pierce Transit routes 500 and 501. Analyses indicate that by 2040 the area will succumb to gridlock conditions absent improvements. The current interchange presents a significant barrier to pedestrian travel this access constraint, combined with higher traffic volumes, has resulted in increased frequency and severity of safety incidents.
Projects — TIB Project Information
TIB Project Information
City of Fife's Port of Tacoma Road Interchange Phase 2A
8-1-134(019)-1
8-1-134(019)-1
Port of Tacoma Road Interchange Phase 2A
12th Street E to 20th St E
FY 2026 Urban Arterial Program
Current Phase : Bid Authorization
Total TIB Funding : $5,000,000
County: Pierce | Legislative District: 27 | Project Length: 0.68 | TIB Engineer: Greg Armstrong | Last Payment Date:
Project Information
| Lead Agency | FIFE |
| Funding Year | 2026 |
| Program | UAP |
| Current Phase | Bid Authorization |
| Legislative District | 27 |
| Congressional District | 6 |
| Federal Route Number | 3277 |
| Project Length | 0.68 mi. |
| ADT | 16,000 |
| Functional Class | Minor |
| Type of Work | New Location |
| Project Contact | Greg Vigoren |
| Contact Email | gvigoren@fifewa.gov |
| TIB Engineer | Greg Armstrong |
| Last Payment Date | |
| Cultural Resource Assessment | Section 106 |
Project Schedule
| Target Date | Actual Date | |
|---|---|---|
| Project Selection Date | 09/26/2025 | |
| Delayed Project Date | 07/01/2030 | |
| DAHP Assessment Date | 09/09/2024 | |
| Predesign Approval | ||
| Design Approval | 10/01/2025 | 10/01/2025 |
| Bid Auth. Approval | 10/01/2025 | 10/01/2025 |
| Construction Approval | 12/15/2025 | |
| Project Closeout | 09/13/2030 | |
| Audit Date | ||
| Withdrawn Date |
Project Funding
| TIB Funds | Project Costs | |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Study | 0 | 0 |
| Design Study | 0 | 0 |
| Total Predesign | 0 | 0 |
| Special Study | 0 | 0 |
| Design | 0 | 0 |
| Right of Way | 0 | 0 |
| Total Design | 0 | 0 |
| Construction Engineering | 54,087 | 704,852 |
| Construction Contract | 4,945,913 | 64,454,325 |
| Other Construction | 0 | 0 |
| Total Construction | 5,000,000 | 65,159,177 |
| Total TIB Funding | 5,000,000 | 65,159,177 |
Local Funding Partners
| Funding Amount | Percent | |
|---|---|---|
| FIFE | 1,219,177 | 1.9% |
| WSDOT Funding | 0 | 0.0% |
| Congressional Dis | 4,000,000 | 6.1% |
| Move Ahead Wash | 28,300,000 | 43.4% |
| Connecting Wash | 5,100,000 | 7.8% |
| FMSIB | 2,100,000 | 3.2% |
| NHFP | 6,000,000 | 9.2% |
| NHPP | 10,000,000 | 15.3% |
| STBG | 2,440,000 | 3.7% |
| Port of Tacoma | 1,000,000 | 1.5% |
| Total Local Funding | 60,159,177 | 92.1% |
Project Description
The project constructs a new bridge over I-5 at 34th Avenue E, reconstructs the I-5 northbound ramps, and reconfigures Port of Tacoma Road to one-way southbound. The interchange will be reconstructed to create a split diamond couplet interchange with Port of Tacoma Road (southbound) and 34th Avenue E (northbound), paired as one-way couplets carrying traffic in opposing directions between 20th Street E and 12th Street E. The new interchange is designed to eliminate off-ramp queuing onto the I-5 main line, significantly decrease the amount of rear-end collisions in the area, improve peak hour traffic flow from Level of Service F (Breakdown flow) to C (Stable flow), and reduce vehicle queues on Port of Tacoma Road from 4,000 feet to 900 feet. The project adds a safe pedestrian and bicycle route across I-5 on the proposed new 34th Avenue East bridge, reconnecting parts of Fife cut off by the original construction of I-5 over 50 years ago. The project also improves travel times for two Pierce Transit (PT) bus routes (PT 500 and 501), and constructs missing sidewalk gaps, ADA ramps, stormwater facilities, and lighting along the project extents.The project connects Port of Tacoma and nearby businesses to I-5 and Pacific Highway E (both T1 freight corridors), and via I-5 and other limited access highways, the metropolitan centers in the region and the state.
Existing Condition
Project Benefits
Project Pictures
No images available.
Project Delays
| Delay Type | Resolution Date | Comments |
|---|---|---|
No delayed project history. |
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